The 96th running of the Annual Dipsea Race got off to a great start as cool temperatures created excellent conditions for the grueling race. Two-time winner Melody Anne Schultz won her third Dipsea Race, leading almost from the start right to the finish.

With the advantage of a 22 minute headstart, she crossed the finish line a minute and a half ahead of second place winner Roy Rivers, 49, who had only a 5 minute head start.

Third place went to Mark McManus, 32, who also won the fastest time award, covering the 7.1 miles in only 49 minutes and 33 seconds.

In fourth place, slightly smudged and scraped from a fall, was last year's winner, 68-year-old Russ Kiernan.

Although the Dipsea Race is recognized nationally as one of the best cross-country events in the nation, it continues to be dominated by local athletes. Only a handful of the 35 top finishers who were awarded prestigious black Dipsea t-shirts were not from the Bay Area. Well over half were from Marin County; good evidence that familiarity with the tricky trail is a key element for those who do well in the race.